Note to editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Eric Motloung.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng Local Municipality is concerned about the lack of oversight within the Finance Portfolio. As of now, there has been no substantial effort to address critical matters related to oversight and compliance. Regrettably, our requests for vital documents such as the asset register, Operation Patala report, lease agreements concerning municipal land and property, as well as the withdrawal report on the municipal bank account, have gone unanswered.
Furthermore, the committee’s appeal for creditors and debtors reports, coupled with its expressed apprehension about the escalating Eskom account and the non-compliance with the payment plan, remains unaddressed. It is crucial to note that the municipality currently lacks a permanent Chief Finance Officer, and this vacancy has yet to be filled.
This ongoing instability severely hampers the ability to conduct proper oversight and combat maladministration and non-compliance with supply chain procedures. Astonishingly, there isn’t a finalized evaluation roll in place. The excessive salary bill exacerbates the issue, contributing to irregular expenditure due to unscrupulous contracts that negatively impact the municipality’s audit results.
We have written to the Executive Mayor, seeking answers regarding the municipality’s failure to address the pressing concerns. We have also initiated a motion for a council debate to explore effective measures for compelling the ANC-led municipality to adhere to sound financial management practices.